Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Cottage Flora Thursdays #7

Not always Rosy…

This is what the front & back truly looks like right now! You can’t see it but there is frost on the ground today…

So it’s not all rosy here at the Fishtail Cottage! I can assure you!!! Many of you posted last week about having garden envy!!! I can be honest and tell you much of my gardening skills are no better than yours. It’s a mission of trial and error! I search magazines and stock neighborhood gardens to see what kind of plant envy I have…once I know what plant I am interested in, I research – computers do wonders with loads of information. Questions I ask – Does this plant grow in my zone?… is it invasive? Will it reseed?

Sometimes I cannot figure it out by looks alone, so I’ve been known to take a clipping from a garden when I can’t figure it out (most of the time with permission of course). I’ll take the clipping into my local nursery…preferably Molbacks to identify the plant. I’m on first name basis with some of the master gardeners there!

Many times, I purchase a garden bush/plant/tree and get into the garden. I usually will baby newer plants for the first year…making sure there is enough water, fertilizer & good compost to help it develop. But sometimes my green thumb isn’t so green.

I love to turn to gardening books and magazines & these are the three I picked up recently! I encourage you to find these too in your local grocery store & browse through the pages…the “Flea Market Gardens” is one I’ve never seen before and really enjoyed what are inside these pages!

Below - I’ve taken a few pictures to show you the reality of my garden! I will leave all of these till end of March to make sure there is no hope before I remove them!

Here is a Winchester Cathedral Rose that began dying for no apparent reason. In fat I have a whole row of these on a slope the ones next to it are doing just fine….but this one – not coming back this year.

This heirloom rose SOUVENIR de la MALMAISON isn’t coming back either – I moved it when I did some late summer re-arranging & it’s as black as can be!

A huge loss is this the 25 Viburnum tinus “spring bouquet”…second year I’ve planted because the first year they died back. They are supposed to be an evergreen here in the Northwest – but not here in my garden…What a disappointment & will not be making another investment in these!

Kornus Florida Dogwood (yes, I know it isn’t a good one for here) but bought it online anyway…has never ever bloomed in the front yard. Conditions are full sun & somewhat dry. So I figured I’d move the two trees into the back where there is more shade and moisture. As I was digging it up, more like tearing this one out – an entire root broke off. I planted it anyways & let’s see how it does. Was not happy where it was – so I have nothing to lose.

23 comments:

I appreciate a real look at your garden today...but you know it's not only your garden (and house) that I love about your blog..it is getting to know you and a little glimpse into your life and passions.

I do a lot of what you do. I wish I could grow some things that just don't work in Zone 7 - but we do have a very long growing season - so that's a trade-off. I too have unfortunately lost some treasures - we had to move them so my husband could paint the house - it isn't finished so I haven't been able to move those things that survived back - right now my garden looks kind of chaotic - and I have invasive vinca and blackberry vines to contend with - they're wicked!We persevere!!!Thanks for hosting this party so we can share our gardens that we love - for good or for bad!Kathy

I also like your picket fence. I am sorry about the loss of thoes beautiful roses I lost a couple of plants to frost that caught us off gaurd. Thanks for sharing your garden and I will be back to link up to COTTAGE FLORA THURSDAY'S when it comes up. Have a good day...........Julian

I am so happy your posted those and I feel for you! :) My garden has been ripped up, re-planted, ripped up again and again since we moved here 13 years ago! I go by what I see and what I like but I know that I have to make better decisions based on climate, soil, water, shade, sun, etc. I am so hoping that this year I can get a good base for my garden and work from there.Have a wonderful day!

Thanks for letting me link my older posts! I am going back into them to edit and add a link back to you. Oh and your not-so-green thum, yeah, still way greener than mine. ;) lol. Thanks for the fun meme!!

Looks beautiful to me. Nice dirt and all ready for planting. You are a jump ahead. I still have beds to clean and leaves to get mulched. Not enough time so hoping to get some of that done next week(if I don't get picked for jury duty that is.)Debbie

Thanks for hosting another great garden party! I love the flowers and all of the talented folks! Your gardens are sooo pretty! Can't wait to show mine, once all of the snow melts! Arg! Alyssa of Boston Bee

Hi Tracie, I tried to comment last night, but we were in the middle of a huge blizzard with thunder and lightning no less and the power bleeped!... this morning my gardens are buried under deep snow... your yard looks great though, lots of green already... I just bought that Flea Market garden magazine too, the premier issue, it looks fun!... like you, I hang out at the garden centers alot, read alot, and ask alot of questions... it all started when I was a little girl asking my great~grandmother the names of all her cottage garden flowers... I love visiting your links and seeing what everyone across the country is planting and how they grow!... xoxo Julie Marie

Your yard is just lovely! I would be happy just seeing the grass right now, but the snow is taking it's time melting. I always look forward to seeing the buds on my rosebushes and I have an annual that I am looking forward to using again this year - Lantana. It just took off for me last Summer and by the end of the season was like a bush!

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About Me

Fishtail Cottage's Blog is about the journey I have taken in my home during the course of building, decorating and the ever evolving landscape. I have learned so much and truly enjoy sharing everything about my life here! I look forward to what is coming my way...